Merz ‘arms export stop to Israel: This is how the world reacts

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has decided: He partially stops the delivery of armaments to Israel – specifically, it is about weapons and material that could be used in the Gaza Strip.

The background is the latest decision of the Israeli security cabinet to extend the military offensive in the Gaza Strip considerably, including the planned siege of the city of Gaza.

The public reactions to Merz ‘decision were strongly shared and ranged from sharp criticism to express support.

There was considerable criticism within the Union and especially the CDU/CSU – many decision -makers felt over.

Party colleagues like Roderich Kiesewetter or the Junge Union see it a serious political and strategic mistake as well as a break with the principles of previous Union policy.

It was particularly criticized that central party members, especially from the CSU, were not included in the decision -making process. Several politicians speak of a risky change of course. In addition, the Chancellor is accused of lacking communication.

But there was also support, especially parts of the SPD: Bärbel Bas, Federal Minister of Labor and Chair of the Party, Referred the attacks on Merz as “strong tobak” and emphasized that criticism of the Israeli government does not mean rejection of Israel as such.

In the ARD summer interview BAS continued: “We have to continue to support Israel and also help them, but we also have a situation now that we shouldn’t forget the people in the Gaza Strip.” This was also a responsibility that the Federal Government bears, BAS added.

The deputy SPD parliamentary group leader Siemtje Möller sees the decision no contradiction to Israel’s right to exist, but a legitimate foreign policy signal.

AfD boss Tino Chrupalla expressly welcomed the partial stop and pointed out that his party fundamentally rejected arms deliveries in war zones.

In the “Mirror” Matthias Gebauer writes about Merz ‘decision: “Israel’s planning for the expansion of the Gaza War has consequences: With an extradition freezing for armaments goods, Chancellor Friedrich Merz opted for a initiallyless but highly symbolic gesture.”

The “Stuttgarter Zeitung” writes: “Of course Israel Defend – but international law has to pay attention. Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul (CDU) was recently in Israel, to affect the government there. “That the Israeli Prime Minister announced a week later that he wanted to take Gaza City must have consequences. Nobody could surprise that – not even in the Union.

The “Times of Israel “ writes: “You can call it how you want; in practice it is holding back. Hamas and Hisbollah will represent it as fluctuating. And for Jewish communities in all of Europe, it sounds like something colder: forgotten.”

The newspaper “Hairet” takes another position. It comments: “With the imposition of a partial weapon embargo against Israel, Germany proves that it takes the European pioneering role and does not forget the Holocaust and its teachings.” If Germany continued to deliver weapons, it would have “become a partner of a genocide” – a step that this country of all people should never do.

Israel came from Israel: Prime Minister Netanyahu said Merz said “under pressure from different groups” and accused him of rewarding Hamas.

Merz rejected this allegation and emphasized that the decision had been made on the basis of his own conviction and after detailed advice in the cabinet.

Overall, the decision polarizes. Conservative circles (especially in CDU/CSU) express sharp rejection and accuse Merz of lack of loyalty. The SPD and parts of the opposition show careful support.

Israel’s government and its supporters clearly reject the decision and announce foreign policy consequences.

Merz himself insists that there is no fundamental change of course in German Israel policy, but that a friendship must also withstand disagreements.